Phonograph with moving stylus and stationary record



R- G- LEITNER Nov. 1, 1,949.

PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept. 50, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 70 INVENTOR.

R/CHARD GI Lf/TA/Er? NOV, 1, 1949. R, NE 2,486,662

PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept. 50, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 1, 1949. LElTNER 2,486,662

PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept. 50, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 mmvrom 1 R/CHARD a u/r/vm NW, 1, 1949. R. e. LEETNER fi PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept. 30, 1942 v 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. fi/CHARD a. lf/iME-A R. G. LEITN ER Nov. 1, 1949.

PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept 50, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 V/ "l ///////A INVENTOR. RICHARD a. LE/T/VEA Nov. 1, 1949. R. G. LEITNER 2,486,662

PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept. 50, 1942 9 Shee'ts-Sheet 6 u 100 10'4 I 10/ 4.0 I06 V//// ////////////fiz INVENTOR. RICHARD GZf/TNER Nov. 1, 1949. R. G. LEITNER 2,486,662

. PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept. 30, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 7 la III/I114 Nov. 1, 1949. R. G. LElTN ER 2,486,662

PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Filed Sept. 30, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 llllllllllllllllllllllllllli Il|l|/|I|lllllllllI'IHIIllllllllllllllllilllq INVENTOR. fi/CHA/PD a zg/r/vm New. I, 1949. R. ca. LEITNER 2,486,662

PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Fi-led Sept. 30, 1942 9Sheets-Sheot 9 IHIIHIII"!lllilllllllilIIIIHIHIIIH'III'lllllllrml I INVENTOR. R/CHAAOGLE/TA/f/I Patented Nov. 1, 1949 UNITED STAT S PTNT GFFICE PHONOGRAPH WITH MOVING STYLUS AND STATIONARY RECORD Application September 30, 1942, Serial No. 460,265

13 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in sound translating devices.

One object of the invention comprises, inter alia, a sound translating device having a rotating sound translating stylus head and using a substantially stationary sound record element.

The invention broadly comprises a rotatably mounted sound translating stylus head, including a stylus, movable in radius variation with respect to its axis of rotation, means for holding a sound record element and preferably a sound record element having at least two straight parallel sides, in substantially stationary position adapted for stylus engagement with said stylus head, and means for rotating said stylus head, in stylus engagement with a sound record element so held, along a closely spiralled path. An index or progress indicator mechanism is additionally provided. The same comprises generically an index indicator positioned and adapted to move over index marks arranged and coordinated with a record element so held, to identify sound groove sections thereon, and means cooperatively connecting said indicator and stylus head to move said indicator over such marks in coordination with indicator identifiable groove section progress of said stylus head.

The use of a stationary record element makes it possible to read matter printed or written on the same, such as titles, lyrics, and/or music, indices, etc. Furthermore, it is possible to provide for suitable index material, preferably on the record element itself, identifying given points on or sections of the record element so that the position or positioning of the properly stylus coordinated indicator in registry with a predetermined identifying index mark fixes the stylus position on the record element at the point identified by such mark.

In its preferred form the indicator construction is used in connection with index material, preferably carried on the sound record element itself, having index marks arranged and coordinated with stationary record element to identify sound groove sections thereon in a ratio of linear index sequence to linear groove section sequences in excess of 1:1. In such case the indicator and stylus head are so connected as to move the indicator at a ratio of linear indicator progress to radially linear stylus progress equivalent to the ratio of index groove section sequences referred to.

The constant groove velocity drive mechanism within my preferred construction generically comprises an axially movable wheel drivingly connected to said means for rotating said stylus head,

a rotatably mounted driving cone, positioned for frictional engagement with the rim of said wheel along a surface line parallel to the axis of said wheel, and means operatively connecting said stylus head and said wheel for axially moving said wheel between a first and second position corresponding respectively to maximum and minimum radial stylus positions on a record element so held,

'said first and second wheel positions being respectively in registry with relatively small and large cone diameters, said frictionwheel and said cone surface being dimensioned to substantially compensate, when operatively engaged for progressive radial variations in stylus positions to thereby effect substantially constant linear velocity of stylus motion relative said second element.

The invention will be more fully understood and the foregoing and further objects thereof will appear from the following description read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 represents a top view of a sound translating device in accordance with my invention with parts broken away to show underlying structures;

Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 exemplifying interlock of parts;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the front broken away and certain parts in cross section;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 3 in the plane A--A thereof;

Fig. 5 is a cross section through Fig. 3 in the plane B-B thereof Fig. 6 is a cross section through Fig. 3 in the plane CC thereof;

Fig. '7 is a cross section through Fig. 3 in the plane DD thereof Figs. 8, 9 and 10 represent enlarged top side and front views respectively of a sound translating stylus element useful in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 11 demonstrates an enlarged view of part of the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrating wire connections and centering spud;

Fig. 12 illustrates an enlarged view, partly in cross section, of the record element transporting mechanism and clutch means therefore; Fig. 12A is a detail of the friction roller clutch mechanism;

Fig. 13 represents an enlarged top view of part of the indicator mechanism;

Fig. 13A is a front view, partly in cross section, of the construction shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 13B is a side View of part of the construction shown in Fig. 13A;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged showing of part of the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Figs. 15 and 16 represent enlarged side and top views respectively of parts of the construction shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of part of the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3 illustrating steel tapes and casings therefore;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged cross section through a tape and casing shown in Fig. 22A in the plane EE thereof;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged cross section through a tape and easing shown in Fig. 22A in the plane F-F thereof;

Fig. 20 is a top view partly in cross section of a portion of Fig. 22, at right angles thereto, illustrating a tape, casing and slot therefor;

Fig. 21 is a view partly in cross section of a portion of Fig. 22, at right angles thereto, illustrating tape and casing connections for the slide wheel;

Fig. 22 is a cross sectional View, partly broken away, of Fig. 22A in the plane I-IH thereof;

Fig. 22A is an enlarged top view, partly broken away, illustrating tape and casing connections;

Fig. 23 represents an enlarged cross section through scroll plate cooperating roller;

Fig. 24 represents an enlarged cross section through an alternative form of scroll plate cooperating roller;

Fig. 25 is a cross sectional view of a laminated record element with sections broken away;

Fig. 25A illustrates a top view of a record element strip having a plurality of sound grooves;

Fig. 26 is part of a top view of a record element, with sections broken away, showing a Braille index;

Fig. 27 is part of a top view of a record element, with sections broken away, showing signal slots; and

Fig. 28 demonstrates a cross section of part of the record element shown in Fig. 27 illustrat ing signal slots, a registering light source and impulse element.

Figs. 29 and 30 are plan views of forms of record that may be used with this device.

The subject matter herein disclosed but not claimed forms the subject matter of copending applications 460,263, now Patent No. 2,478,538, granted August 9, 1949, 460,264, filed September 30, 1942, and 472,792, now Patent No. 2,478,539, granted August 9, 1949, filed January 18, 1943.

Referring to the drawings (Figs. 3 and 4), indicates a carriage having slide tracks 3 and 4 respectively and rotatably mounted by way of clamp element 5 around stationary hollow shaft 6 axially slidable in sleeve shaft 31 screwed into cross support 340 of chassis 34. Sound translating stylus head "I is slidably mounted on slide track 3 and tiltable thereon with the stylus 8 facing upwards. Slide element 9 is slidably mounted on slide track 3 of carriage and connected with stylus element 7 by means of connecting rod l6. Slide element 9 a cam groove follower tiltable on slide track 3 carries grooved roller II. counterweight l2 adapted to balance stylus element 1 is slidably mounted on slide track 4 of carriage I. A scroll plate l3, carrying closely spaced spiral grooves I4 and having a center opening I5, is mounted on frame It composed of shafts l! and cross or base member l8. Base member i8 is slidably mounted on sleeve shaft 81. Shafts I! of frame l6 carry extensions 28 and 28' slidable in guide bushings l9 and I9 to chassis 34 attached to the base of housing 26 by means of screws 2| and spacing and positioning lugs 22.

Rods 66, carried between clamp element or block 5 and collar 6|, secured by means of an anti-friction disc 6| a and a set screw or the like 62 to the sleeve 81, extend parallel to and in symmetrically spaced relation around shaft 6 and sleeve 87. Wheel 42, carrying friction rim 63 and upper grooved portion 43, is slidably mounted on sleeve 81 and rods 60 but in rotatable drive relation with rods 66 and thus carriage Flexible tape means such as steel tapes 4! and 4| are attached to friction wheel 42 at diametrically opposed points adjacent shaft 81 (Figs. 5 and 22A), tape 4| being attached with its other end to stylus element I, and tape 4| to counterweight l2 (Fig. 4). Tapes 4| and 4| slide freely in substantially rigid casings 66 and 66 attached to carriage I (Figs. 4, 1'7 and 22A). As will be seen from Figs. 8 and 18 to 22A inclusive, illustrating the tape and casing connections with respect to the stylus element 8, casing 63, passes through hole or slot 664 in wheel 42 and is suitably secured to collar 6|. Steel tape 45 is secured by means of the pin or bolt 663 to wheel 42. Slot 665 in casing 66 permits pin or bolt 663, secured to wheel 42, to slide in casing 66 together with tape 4|. Slot 665 is preferably so selected that it delimits with its ends the axial movement of wheel 42. Referring to Figs. 22 and 22A, the upper part of casing 63 is secured to carriage Pin 661' securing tape 4| to stylus head 1, moves in slot 668. As wheel 42 moves down, the stylus head moves towards its axis of rotation and as wheel 42 moves up, the stylus element moves away from its axis of rotation. The same operating mechanism described for coordination of stylus head and wheel positions is used for coordination of counterweight position and wheel position; in this case the pin moving in the tape slot secures the tape to the counterweight. As the tape and casing arrangement 4|, 66 is substantially congruous to the tape and casing arrangement 4|", 66, the weight I2 will always substantially assume the same position with respect to the axis of rotation of carriage asthe stylus head 8.

Cone 16, rotatably mounted on inclined shaft 1|, presents a surface line, adjacent friction wheel 42, substantially parallel to the axis of shafts 6 and 81 (Figs. 2 and 3). Pulley 12 on cone 10 is connected by means of the belt or the like 13 to motor 14 (Figs. 5 and 6), ball bearing mount 15 facilitating rotation (Figs. 3 and 14). Referring to Figs. 3, 6, 14 and 16, cone I0 is carried by arm ll, pivotally mounted on stud 16 secured to chassis 34. Arm TI is provided with cam surface 18 and is pivotable on stud 16 against the force of spring 79. Double arm lever 80, pivotally mounted at 83 on shaft 6|, is adapted to engage with its lever arm 82, cam surface 18; lever arm 84 carries fork extensions 85 adapted to engage undersurface 86 of frame member l3, slidably mounted on sleeve 81.

Cone I1 carries,'pivotally attached adjacent its end, arm 86 which is in turn pivotally secured to crank rod 89 attached to shaft 25 by means of the set screw or the like 26 (Figs. 3 and 6). Shaft 25 carries secured thereto crank rod 21 engaging adjacent its end cam surface 9| (Figs. 12 and 12A) of forked lever 92, pivoted at 93 and adapted to engage with its fork ends 95 clutch disc 96 against the force of spring 94. The pair of friction rollers 91 (Fig. 3) are in rotatable drive relation to manual control knob 98 (Figs. 2 and 12A),

I03 (Fig. 14) in forked member 40 engages the pin 4 or rod I04 carried by arm 80 substantially radial to the center of shaft 8I having manual control knob I05 (Figs. 2 and 6).

Stationary hollow center shaft 6 (Figs. 14 and 16) is provided at its lower end with a cam surface Or roller I05 positioned to be engaged by the cam I01 carried by shaft I00. Shaft I08 carries disc H (Fig. '1) secured thereto by set screw III and turns freely inside sleeve I12 carrying manual control knob I00. Sleeve H2 is provided with friction clutch disc II3, rotatable with and axially slidable on sleeve II2, engaging with its shoulder II4 spring I I mounted to bring discs H0 and H3 into clutch engagement. Grooved portion II6 of friction clutch disc I I3 is engaged by the forked ends II1 of forked lever arm carrying cam surface 29 positioned to be engaged by shaft 28 and pivotally connected at 3I to the extension 34B of chassis 34.

As illustrated in Figs. 3, '1, 13, 13A and 13B, forked lever arm 31 carrying cam surface 36, positioned to be engaged by the lower end of shaft 28, is pivotally attached at to the extension 34A of chassis 34. Forked ends 120 of arm 31 engage the grooved portion I2I of friction clutch disc I22, mounted rotatably with and axially slidable on sleeve I23 carrying manual control knob 5 I24. Arm 31 forces clutch disc I22 against the force of spring I26, into engagement with disc I21 when extension 20' engages cam surface 36. Disc I21 is connected by set screw or the like I28 to shaft 560, mounted to freely rotate inside sleeve I23. Shaft 560, carries rotatable therewith shaft pulleys 32 and 33. Shaft I26 (Figs. 3 and 4) mounted in the upper part of the device, substantially parallel to shaft 560, carries pulley 59 in substantial registry with pulley 32 of shaft 560. Belt or chain I30 (Fig. 3) passes in endless fashion over pulleys 32 and 59. T-arm I3I, slidably mounted with its center portion 46 by way of rollers I32 on square shaft 45, engages with prongs I of forked portion 44 the grooved portion 43 of the friction wheel 42. Arm portion I4! of T-arm I3I is provided with a slot or hole 41 permitting one side of belt or chain I30 to pass through. The other side of the belt or chain I30 is attached to adjacent the end of section I4I of T-arm I3I. Belt or chain I43 passes in endless fashion over pulleys 6| and 33 (Figs. 1 and 7). The portion of the belt or chain extending between pulleys 6i and 62 carries indicator point I44. The ratio of the diameter of pulley 33 to that of pulley 32 is preferably so selected that the indicator at 44 is moved in its travel between the pulleys BI and 62 a comparatively large distance with a relatively small turn of the pulley 33, as for instance at a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1.

Frame I45 (Figs. 1 and 2) is suitably attached to the case of housing 20 such as by angle brackets 48 adjacent the top of the structure. A cover preferably of transparent material I46 fits over frame I45 leaving a space to receive record material. The cover is preferably held in position by the portions of angle brackets 46 extending above frame I45 on housing 20. Frame I45 serves as support for record material I41, which in the embodiment shown (Fig. 1) comprises a strip of sucgroove.

cessive individual record materials each having its individual spirally arranged sound groove I48, its individual centering aperture I49 and its center point indicator I50. Each individual portion may carry at the margin thereof, a suitable legend or index I5I with which the indicator point I44 may be brought into registry. Stylus positions relative given points on or sections of the record sound groove are coordinated with indicator positions in registry with identifying index marks. Stylus position or progress on the sound groove is thus ascertainable at any time from indicator position or progress on the index. Suitable arrange ment for viewing the index should be made such as by way of a cover at least partly composed of transparent material.

Cover I46 cooperates with the frame and disc member I52 (Figs. 3 and 11) to properly support the record material. Frame I45 and cover I46 are so spaced as to permit the record material I41 to pass therebetween without the necessity of lifting the cover. If desired, latch means (not shown) may be used to secure cover I6. Signal mark I53 (Fig. l) is provided on the cover I46 to indicate centered position of record material when in registry with the center point mark I50.

The scroll plate 13 is preferably secured and positioned in axially slidable arrangement by means of the guide bracket 49.

Hollow shaft 6 (Figs. 3 and 11) carries centering spud I54 fitting with its shoulder portion I55 into recess I56 of disc I52, secured to the sleeve 01 by means of spring element I51. Disc I52 is slidable with respect to shaft 6 and spud I54 against the force of spring I51. Sleeve 81 carries collector ring I58 engaged by the silver graphite brush 1 59 held in contact with the collector ring by the spring I60 and connected to the sound translating stylus element by the wire lead I6I wound around slide track 3. Wire lead I62 attached to collector ring I58 passes through registeringslots in sleeve 81 and hollow shaft 6, thence through hollow shaft 6 emerging adjacent the base thereof at I63.

Specifically referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, a sound reproducing stylus element, useful in accordance with the invention, is exemplified. Mounted in casing I66 is a pieZo-electric crystal I61 preferably set in rubber I68 and supporting with its wedge-shaped point I69, in a suitable V- shaped indentation I10, the stylus arm I65, carrying the stylus Hi. The shorter end of arm I65 is attached to spring I12 secured to the housing I66, the upper lip I14 of the aperture I13 of the housing I66 serving as a stop for arm I65.

The spiral grooves I4 (Figs. 3 and 4) on scroll plate I3 are preferably provided in dimensional simulation of a spiral phonographic record sound Roller II designed to cooperate with scroll plate I3 is preferably a small roller carrying circumferential grooves providing ridges adapted to engage or track in the grooves I4 on the scroll plate I3. Both the grooves on the scroll plate and the grooves on the cooperating roller are preferably made in buttress form adapted to exert radial pressure in the direction in which the radius is to be extended or reduced as the case may be without developing any large component of pressure tending to force grooved roller out of the grooves in the scroll plate. The scroll plate, in accordance with my invention, may be conveniently molded from a suitable plastic material and preferably a, thermo-plastic material such as a suitable Vinylite, Bakelite or thelike, the molding of such grooves presenting no more difiiculty than the molding of grooves in the ordinary phonographic record. Alternatively, if desired, suitable scroll plates may be made in any other suitable manner such as by precision etching or engraving or the like.

- As a scroll plate cooperating roller, in accordance with my invention, I prefer to use a hard polished steel roller. A plurality of grooves 106 (Fig. 23) may be placed on the roller face to produce a plurality of ridges, adapted to engage corresponding grooves in the scroll plate. By the use of a. plurality number of grooves or ridges a greater total strength is provided for the driving mechanism although it is recognized that all of the engaging surfaces do not travel at identical speeds, and that therefore slippage between some of the grooves must occur. With a finely grooved scroll plate, however, and a finely grooved or ridged cooperating roller. or more grooves may be engaged substantially without producing slippage or irregularities in the drive guiding the radial movement of the sound translating stylus.

As an alternative to the simple form of grooved steel roller just mentioned, I may employ a laminated roller consisting of (Fig. 24) alternate discs of steel and of resilient material such as synthetic rubber 102, all mounted on a common shaft 1S3 which serves as axis of revolution of the roller. These discs are all clamped tightly together by two cooperating cheeks 104 mounted on this axis and of diameters slightly smaller than the steel and rubber discs. This disc assembly is suitably provided with grooved or ridged surface 105 adapted to cooperate with the grooves on the scroll plate. Such a laminated roller has the advantage of cooperating more accurately with the grooves on the scroll plate since the resilient material between the successive discs yields slightly and thus distributes the pressure load between the discs instead of permitting it to fall upon one disc alone, in the event of slight irregularities in the scroll plate.

The device in accordance with my invention, as is common with sound translating mechanisms known to the art, may be used both for the preparation of the record as well as for the reproduction of sound from a record already made. In many cases, as is for instance conventional in 'the art, increased pressure of the stylus on the record material will produce a sound groove while the same stylus permitted to pass through the previously made groove at reduced pressure will reproduce the sound of that groove. Alternatively, separate stylus heads may be used, one for recording and another for reproduction. Where reference, therefore, is made herein to the term sound record element, or such similar expression, the same is used in its broadest sense and intended to include in a proper case a sound record element adapted to receive a sound groove as well as a sound record element already containing a sound groove and adapted for reproduction of sound therefrom.

Although a.,,strip of successive units of record material has been illustrated in connection with the construction exemplified by way of preferred embodiment in the drawings, it is possible to use individual pieces of record material and irrespective of their particular geometrical configuration. If substantially circular record maprefer, however, to use the square form of record material as the same offers many advantages not realized with other forms of record material.

In its preferred form (Figs. 25 and 25A) the record may be laminated having a center strip of preferably non-transparent material such as the paper strip 10'! adapted to receive a suitable printed legend, such as a table of contents, a visual index or the like 120. Coveringthis center strip on each side, and suitably secured or bonded thereto, is a thin layer of plastic material preferably relatively thin sheet material 708, adapted to receive a sound reproducible groove of either lateral or vertical cut type 72L This plastic material is preferably transparent. Consequently, one surface of the plastic may serve as a protection for the printed visual legend While the other surface receives sound impressions. If desired, however, sound impressions may be carried on both surfaces, and visual index or the like material may be printed on both sides of the center strip. The visual legend material may extend to portions covered by sheet material carrying sound grooves since the sound grooves do not obscure plainly printed index material.

As supplement to the visual index and particularly for use by the blind, I may extend one edge of the record strip (Fig. 26) and provide thereon Braille index marks 722. It is further possible to provide (Figs. 27 and 28) suitable signal slots or marks 123 coordinated with given indeX marks I24 and thus with given indicator coordinated stylus positions to actuate any desired mechanism. As for instance illustrated in Fig. 28, the light source 125 secured to and moving with indicator 128 incites, when in registry with signal slot 123', the selenium or impulse element 12'! thereby closing an electric circuit (not shown) to effect for example slide changing in a projection machine.

By way of simplification but not of limitation, the hereinafter following description of the practical operation of m invention is made in connection with a strip of laminated record material adapted to be translated into sound from a sound groove previously recorded.

In the practical operation of my invention and assuming the manual control knob N15 to register with its index finger the off position (Fig. 2) a strip of record material is threaded by way of the friction rolls El into the space defined between frame and the rim of cover M6. This is accomplished by turning the manual control knob 98 in the direction of the arrow; clutch disc 96 (Figs. 3, l2, and 12A) is in the engaged position as rod 2'! is in a position with respect to the cam surface M in which the forked portion 95 forces clutch disc 95 into clutch engagement so as to establish direct drive relation between control knob 98 and friction roller :91. Rotation of control knob 98 is continued until center-point mark 450 on the record is substantiall in registry with signal mark I53 on cover M5.

The relative position of parts with control knob $65 in the off position will be substantially noted as follows: The scroll plate l3 (Fig. 3) is down and out of engagement with roller ll of slide element 8. Stylus 8 of sound translating head I is out of engagement with the sound record material. Shaft B and sleeve 8? are in a sub stantially lowered position. Shaft extension 28 engages cam surface 2!! (Fig. '7) thereby swinging arm 30 frontwards thus holding clutch disc H3 out of en aging position with disc M0 on shaft [BB-whereby the direct drive connect-ionbetween control knob I09 and shaft I08 is released. Shaft extension 28 (Figs. '7 and 13) engages cam surface 36 thereby swinging arm Lil back and thus the clutch disc I22 into engagement with the disc I2I whereby direct drive connection between the control knob I24, sleeve I23 and shaft 60 is established. Forked arm 64 (Figs. 6 and 14) of double lever arm is lowered while arm portion 62 is on the upper portion of the inclined face 18 of the cone base ll thereby swinging cone I0 around its pivot point 16 against the force of spring I9 away from the engagement with the friction wheel '42, this pivoting motion at the same time securing drive connection between friction rolls 9'! and control knob 66, as previously described, by way of the rods 38, 86 and 2! and the wedge arm 92, pivoting at 93 (Figs. 3, 12 and 12A).

As the next step in the operation of the device, the stylus is positioned with respect to any particular desired point of registry with the sound groove on the record I 41. This is accomplished by turning control knob E24 (Fig. 13) which, being in clutched drive relation to shaft 60 and pulley 32, will rotate the endless belt 530 by way of pulley 59, at the same time rotating pulleys 53, 6| and 62 by way of belt I43 (Fig. 3). .Assuming the record material to be one on which sound reproduction is to proceed from outwardly to inwardly on the spiral sound groove, the T- arm I3I in its highest position will correspond to the highest position of friction wheel 42 and a in its lowest position to the lowest position of friction wheel 42. Friction wheel 42 is connected to stylus element I on carriage I by steel tape 4I, slidable in tape casing 66, insuch manner that the highest and lowest positions of friction wheel 42, with respect to the surface of cone I0, correspond respectively to positions of greatest and least radial extension of the sound translating stylus element I.

The index or other legend indicator I44 is preferably so set that its zero mark corresponds to the outermost position of the sound translating stylus element. By turning control knob I24, the index indicator I44 may be set to an desired position between the outermost and innermost positions of the stylus element, i. e., to any given intermediate index point, predetermined for a particular sound groove relation, and the positoining of index I44 will automatically adjust the stylus of stylus element :1 to that position.

After the index pointer has been set to the desired position, i. e., in the illustration of the drawings the zero position (Fig. 1) corresponding to the outermost stylus element position, the

control lever I05 (Fig. 2) is turned with the marker 105 to the on position. Arm 82 (Figs. 3 and 14) slides down cam surface I8 of base ll of cone I0 thereby causing spring 19 (Figs. 6 and 16) to pivot cone I0 towards and into engagement with the rim 63 of friction wheel 42, (Fig. 3). At the same time, by way of rods 88, 89 and crank 21, clutch disc 96 (Fig. 12A) is moved out of clutching engagement thereby breaking the direct drive relation between control knob 98 and friction rollers 9'! so that in this position the strip of record material cannot be moved by accidental turning of control knob 98. As arm 82 (Figs. 3

and 14) moves downwardly on the inclined surface of the cone base, the forked portions 85 of arm 84 engage surface 86 of the cross frame I6 lifting the same, at the same time sliding forked member 40, by way of the pin I04 and slot I03, under the sleeve I02, which is slidably mounted on sleeve member 81, surrounding hollow shaft 6.

Slide member 40 thereby engages, with the inclined fork portions I00, the under-surface IOI of the sliding bushing I02 so as to lock cross frame It of the frame I6 into position. When raising cross frame member I8, scroll plate I3, carried by frame I6, is commensurately raised into engaging position between the groove I I on the scroll plate I3 and the grooved roller I4 carried by the slide member 9 (Fig. 3). As the scroll plate engages the groove roller, the latter is pushed upwardly thus tilting slide member 9 on its slide track and thereby tilting the stylus element into stylus engagement with the record. In the position shown, the sound translating stylus element is in its outermost position while the scroll plate cooperating roller I4 is in its innermost position.

The raising of frame I6 and thus of the scroll plate I3 moves the frame extensions 28 and 28, which are preferably of smaller diameter than the frame portions I1, out of contact with the respective cam surfaces 36 and 29 (Fig. '7). In this manner, arm 36 swings backward thereby moving, aided by spring II2, the clutch disc II3 into clutching position with disc IIO to thereby establish direct drive connection between the control knob I09 and shaft I08 by way of the sleeve I I2, friction clutch I I3 and disc I I0. At the same time, arm 31, controlled by spring I26, moves disc I22 away from the disc I21 thereby breaking the direct drive connection between shaft 60 and the control knob I24. This arrangement prevents movement of the stylus element, while in record engagement, by accidental turning of the control knob I24.

As afore related, with control knob I05 (Fig. 2), in the on position, control knob I09 (Fig. 7) is in direct drive relation to shaft I08. Turning of control knob I09 and thus of shaft I08 (Figs. 3, 14 and 15) will cause cam element I01, engaging the roll I06 at the lower end of shaft 6, to raise shaft 6, thereby pushing the upper end or spud I64 (Fig. 11) of shaft 6 through the center hole I of the record material I47 and partly into and in registry with the aperture I 9| of cover I46. In this manner, the record material is more accurately centered than is possible by index registry alone between marks I50 and I53. Projection I92 on shaft 6 and slidable in slot I93 of sleeve 81 delimits the movement of shaft 6. Projection I92 serves to control movement of shaft 6 with respect to sleeve 8'! and may also serve to actuate a contact switch (not shown) when in its highest position, i. e., a position at which the centering spud l54 has brought the apertures of cover and of record material into substantially accurate registry with plate I52 which firmly holds the record material against cover I45 by means of spring element I5l. This contact switch (not illustrated) serves to switch on motor I4 (Fig. 6) to drive cone H! by means of the belt I3 and cone pulley 52. Alternatively a separate motor switch may be provided to be manually operated when all other elements are in their proper operating relation.

As the driven cone rotates, it engages the friction rim (Figs. 3 and 5), such as rubber rim 63. of friction wheel 42 by frictional contact with the cone surface. Friction wheel 42 and rods 60 thus rotate together with carriage I. As carriage I rotates, the cooperating roller I4 passes in groove engagement with the grooves I I of scroll plate I3 and stylus 0 of sound translating stylus head I travels along the spiral sound groove of the record element I41. These outwardly spiraling grooves II cause the cooperating roller I4 and thus slide element 9 to move in a radially extending spiral path, while the stylus element moves in a radially decreasing spiral path. As stylus 8 moves in radial diminution, steel tape 68, held longitudinally substantially rigid by the rigid casing 66, causes rotating wheel 42 to slide downwardly to progressively increasing cone diameter positions. Steel tape 4!, held longitudinally substantially rigid by the rigid casing 65', will commensurately move the counterweight l2 in continuous position of balance with the moving stylus head 1.

The circumference of the friction disc 42 and the dimensions, including pitch, of the cone surface are so selected that the stylus 8 of the sound stylus translating element l travels in any given time interval substantially the same linear extent of grooves regardless of the radial position of the stylus. Thus, when the stylus traverses the larger spirals, the frictional engagement between the wheel 42 and the cone surface is at the smaller end of the cone and as the stylus traverses grooves of lesser radius the wheel 32 is in frictional engagement with a larger circumferenced cone surface, finally arriving, as shown in the dotted position, in driving engagement with the base of the cone at a point where the stylus traverses spirals of minimum radius. By the use of this constant groove velocity principle, I am able to utilize almost the entire area of the record element, reproducing from any portion thereof, sound of a quality and fidelity identical with that reproduced from any part of the record element.

Though the device in the illustration herein used is exemplified as one operating from maximum to minimum radial position it is of course understood that the same may be used by drive directional reversal, such as by belt crossing in connection with record material in which the stylus element rotates in spirally outwardly extending engagement.

The foregoing description is for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the same isnot to be limited except by the appended claims in which I have endeavored to claim broadly all inherent novelty.

I claim:

.1. A sound translating device comprising in combinat on a casing having an opening through which a record may be fed into a horizontal stationary position for playing, situated wholly below said record for playing the same, an indicator movable along one edge of said record in the direction of said motion, said playing means comprising a stylus beneath said record, a means beneath said record for moving the stylus toward and from the axis and for rotating the same during such movement, means connecting the stylus and the indicator to cause the indicator to move in accordance with the movement of the stylus along the edge of the record.

2. A sound translating device comprising a member over which a record may be fed in a horizontal plane to a stationary playing position, means for holding the record stationary in said position while playing, an indicator at the edge of said record movable in the direction of said motion, a head situated below said plane in vertical registry with the axis of said playing position, a stylus carried by said head, means for rotating the head and stylus about the axis of the playing position, means for moving said stylus toward the axis, during rotation of the head, and means responsive to the motion of the stylus toward the axis for moving the indicator along the edge of the record.

3. A sound translating device adapted for use Witha record having a spiral sound track thereon, means for supporting a record in stationary inverted position, an indicator movable in a straight line along one edge of the record, an arm mounted below said record carrying a stylus movable thereon toward and from the axis of the record position, means for rotating said arm about the axis, means for moving said stylus toward the axis during rotation of the head, means for converting the motion of the stylus toward the axis into non-rotating straight line motion, and means operated by said converting means to move the indicator along the edge of the record.

4. A sound translating device adapted for use with a record having a spiral sound track thereon, means for supporting a record in stationary inverted position, an indicator movable in a straight line along one edge of the record, an arm mounted below said record carrying a stylus movable thereon toward and from the axis of the record position, means for rotating said arm about the axis, means for moving said stylus toward the axis during rotation of the head, means for coordinating the rotation of the stylus with its motion toward the center to constrain it to move in a spiral, and means for converting the movement of the stylus toward the center into non-rotating straight line motion and for operating said indicator thereby to move along the edge of the record.

5. A sound translating device adapted for use with a record having a spiral sound track thereon, means for supporting a record in stationary inverted position, an indicator movable in a straight line along one edge of the record, a head mounted for rotation in registry with the axis of the record position, a disc concentric with said record position having a spiral groove thereon, a follower adapted to couple in said groove, a stylus, means to move the stylus to the follower and for moving them toward and from the axis in unison, means for converting said motion into straight line non-rotary motion and to operate the indicator thereby to move along the edge of the record.

6. A sound translating device adapted for use with a record having a spiral sound trackthereon, means for supporting a record in stationary inverted position, an indicator movable in a straight line along one edge of the record, a head mounted for rotation in registry with the axis of the record position, a disc having a spiral groove thereon and a follower adapted to move in said groove, a stylus, means to move the stylus and the follower toward and from the axis in unison, means for converting said motion into straight line non-rotary motion and to operate the indicator thereby, said converting means comprising a vertically moving block, flexible strips moving in guides, connecting said stylus and said follower respectively with said block, and means operated by the vertical position of said block for controlling said indicator.

7. A sound translating device adapted for use with a record having a spiral sound track thereon, means for supporting a record in stationary inverted position, an indicator movable in a straight line along one edge of the record, a head mounted for rotation in registry with the axis of the record position, a, disc having a spiral groove thereon and a follower adapted to move in said groove, a stylus, means to move the stylus and the follower toward and from the axis in unison, means for converting said motion into straight line non-rotary motion and to operate the indicator thereby, said converting 'means comprising a vertically moving friction wheel connected to drive said head, flexible strips connecting said stylus and said follower respectively with said wheel, and means operated by the vertical position of said wheel for controlling said indicator, said means for rotating said head comprising a motor, a cone driven by said motor with one of its elements parallel to the axis of rotation of the head, in position to engage said wheel, said cone having a taper such as to maintain a constant linear-speed for said stylus relative to said record groove.

8. A sound translating device adapted for use with a record having a spiral sound track thereon, means for supporting a record in stationary inverted position, an indicator movable in a straight line along one edge of the record, a head mounted for rotation in registry with the axis of the record position, a disc having a spiral groove thereon and a follower adapted to move in said groove, a stylus, means to move the stylus and the follower toward and from the axis in unison, means for converting said motion into straight line non-rotary motion and to operate the indicator thereby, said converting means comprising a vertically moving friction wheel connected to drive said head, flexible strips connecting said stylus and said follower respectively with said wheel, and means operated by the vertical position of said wheel for controlling said indicator, said means for rotating said head comprising a motor, a cone driven by said motor with one of its elements parallel to the axis of rotation of the head in position to engage said wheel, said cone having a taper such as to maintain a constant linear-speed for said stylus relative to said record groove, manual means for moving said stylus, said follower and said indicator in unison, and means for simultaneously disengaging said stylus from said record and said follower from said disc while connecting said manual means to control condition.

9. A sound translating device comprising a member over which a record may be fed horizontally from the side to a playing position, and adapted for use with a square record, an indicator movable in the direction of said motion of said record along the edge thereof, a head mounted below and in registry with the axis of said playing position, said head including a drive shaft and a friction wheel slidingly mounted on said shaft, a stylus slidable on said head toward and from the axis, a flexible strip connecting said stylus with said drive wheel whereby said drive wheel is lowered as said stylus moves toward the axis, a motor driven cone mounted for rotation with one of its elements in engagement with said drive wheel during the vertical motion of the latter, and means connecting said indicator with said friction drive wheel whereby the indicator moves in proportion to the movement of the drive wheel, and of the stylus.

10. A device in accordance with the preceding claim 9, having a stationary disc having a spiral thereon, and a follower movable in said spiral said follower being mounted upon said head, and a flexible strip connecting said follower with said friction drive wheel whereby said stylus follows the same spiral as said follower.

11. A device in accordance with the preceding claim 9 having a stationary disc having a spiral thereon, and a follower movable in said spiral said follower being mounted upon said head, and a flexible strip connecting said follower with said friction drive wheel whereby said stylus follows the same spiral as said follower, means for simultaneously disconnecting said cone from said drive wheel disengaging said stylus from a record, and disengaging said follower from said disc.

12. A sound translating device comprising in combination, means for supporting a spiral sound track record in a stationary playing position, and sound translating devices situated wholly on the sound track side of said record comprising a head carrying a stylus rotatable about the axis of said record, means for moving said stylus to follow the sound track including means for rotating said stylus, means independent of the sound track for moving said stylus toward the axis as it rotates, and means for moving said stylus into and out of engagement with the sound track.

13. A sound translating device comprising in combination, means for supporting a spiral sound track record in a stationary playing position and sound translating devices situated wholly on the sound track side of said record comprising a head carrying a stylus rotatable about the axis of said record, means for moving said stylus to follow the sound track including means for rotating said stylus and means independent of the sound track for moving said stylus toward the axis as it rotates, means controlled by the radial position of the stylus for determining the speed of rotation of the stylus to maintain uniform linear speed relative to the sound track, and means for moving said stylus into and out of engagement with the sound track.

, RICHARD G. LEITNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Nystrom Oct. 28, 1941 

